As we observe the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, my thoughts turn to the help of good friends and particularly our Canadian neighbors that day. More than 250 U.S. bound flights were forced to land in Canada, including 38 at the large airfield in the small, isolated town of Gander, Newfoundland. They disembarked 6,595 scared and bewildered people at Gander — almost the town’s population. and as Canadians have always done, especially for their American friends, the call went out to everyone, from seniors to children: “Lend a hand! Do what you can!”
And did they respond. Pooling food, bedding, clothes, and so much more. Preparing meals. Looking after children. Local pharmacies providing prescriptions at no cost. Forming lasting friendships that continue.
And then some 40,000 Canadian troops fought with us for years in Afghanistan.
But this is the special and unique pattern of Canadian support for Americans for over 150 years.
Canadians are the people who enlisted in the Union Army in our Civil War by the tens of thousands in support of freedom. Who landed on the beaches of Normandy with us. Who have earned 61 Medals of Honor serving in our military. Who wept with us after the assassination of President Kennedy and renamed a Montreal avenue in his memory. Who rescued our diplomats in Tehran at high risk. Who responded tremendously to Katrina. and yes, who took Americans into their hearts at Gander on 9/11.
It has been and hopefully will be an incredible people-to-people relationship. But as the 9/11 anniversary instructs us that remembrance is important, its link to the special support, time and time again, of Canadians for America and Americans warrants strong remembrance and commemoration too.
What does Canada have that we need? Set aside all things economic — as substantial as that list is. As in our individual existence, do we not need the special bonds of special friendship, infused with kindness, generosity, dependability, shared values and familial level connection? Let’s all think about the grim sadness of 9/11 but also allow our thoughts to look north to the extraordinary humanity of the Canadian residents of Gander that dreadful day.
We remember.